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 KidzView
If you ride, this place
has always had one of the all-time fine snowboard parks. And, now, Exhibition
Park is the place. You can not only get big air and rip-off major tricks in there,
but you gotta check out using the snow toys - snow bikes and stuff - in the park, and also the new, in-ground superpie on Phil's Hill.
It rules! Town Square is pretty cool for doing other stuff, like ice-skating and
hanging out. And, the tubing hill is rad, too.
For
Sanity's Sake: Take
advantage of the valley-wide shuttle bus system, which will get you almost anyplace
you want to go without hassling with the car. A condo stay right in Town Square
will put you at the heart of apres-ski activities.
KidzPoints:
For
kids taking lessons, all lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment can be purchased
right at the snowsports school in the main base lodge. Waterville offers the number
one ski area family-friendly feature - a single base to which everyone must return
at the end of the day; no going the wrong way and getting lost. Town Center is
easy to reach and negotiate from all lodging, which allows older kids to run free.
The never-ever learning area - Kinder Park - is user-friendly, and the program
utilizes on-slope cartoon characters to add to the fun.
Where
to Ski: Probably
the best long, intermediate cruise on the mountain is to ride the White Peaks Express
Quad then roll on down Oblivion on skier's right, to Upper Valley Run back
to the bottom. Going to skier's left, Periphery or Tippecanoe make fun cruises,
with the option of going halfway and riding the Northside Double back up. Steep
and bump fans can satisfy their needs on The Grit and Lower Bobby's Run,
while racer wanna-be's can pretend they're on the big time circuit over at
the World Cup Slalom Hill. Sel's Choice - both Upper and Lower - probably
comprises the most popular black diamond run.
Where
to Board:
If they didn't invent the terrain park here, they certainly perfected it:
The Boneyard became an instant classic upon creation; several years later, Exhibition
Park was developed and, over time, became even more popular than the Yard. Te Yard is now fully replaced by Exhibition, a righteous playground
that offers just about any desired feature: launchers, tandem tables, gaps, spines,
hips and some surprising obstacles that create added fun. The new in-ground superpipe on Phil's Hill is right next to Exhibition, so you'll can still get to it from the Exhibition lift - and it increases the park size by 40%.
A very cool riders-only
pipe is set up on next door on Upper Valley Run. Both the park and pipe are served
by the Quadzilla high speed quad lift.
For
not-ready-for-prime-time riders, Little Slammer Terrain Park, provides scaled
down elements and a mini half-pipe that allows the practice necessary to reach
the next level.
Special
Programs: The
growing collection of snowtoys means all kinds of ways to slide down the hill.
Two that are completely different are: Snowscoots, a combo of a scooter and a
snowboard; and skibikes, a banana-seat bicycle with shock absorbers and skis instead
of wheels - you can use mini-skis or blades on your feet to add to the challenge.
Child
Care:The
well-equipped center features plenty of toys, games and activities, a self-contained
infant area with rocking chairs for nursing moms, and a maximum four to one child/staff
ratio. Ages 6 months to 4 years are accepted at $12/hour; $41/half day, 8:00 am
- 12:30 pm, or 12 noon - 4:30 pm; $51/full day, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Lunch is $6, or bring your own. Reservations, 603-236-8311 x3196 or x3197.
Good
Groceries: Try
the Jugtown Sandwich Shop in Town Center for deli sandwiches, or Olde Waterville
Pizza Company for pizza, subs and burgers. Diamond's Edge North Restaurant, also
in Town Center, serves continental fare at about $15/entree, and has an extensive
kids' menu. Latitudes Cafe is also a favorite.
Sleep
Tight: All Waterville Valley's ski and stay packages include: lift ticket; free "From the Summit" clinic for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders; a day trail pass at the
Waterville Valley Nordic Center good for a full day of Nordic skiing or snowshoeing; a day pass to the White Mountain Athletic Club; unlimited
rides on the valley shuttle bus; and Saturday-night
fireworks. Also, kids 12 and under stay and ski free during most of January.
Spendy:Golden
Eagle Lodge is an upscale, all-suites, one- and two-bedroom condo facility with
indoor pool in the heart of Town Center; rates range from $128-$275 per suite;
slightly higher during holidays; 888-70-EAGLE.
Moderate: Snowy
Owl Inn offers a full range of lodging from hotel rooms to two-bedroom suites
in a country inn atmosphere within walking distance to Town Center; facilities
include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, game
room, daily complimentary wine and cheese and complimentary continental breakfast;
rates $70-$225 per night; kids stay free in the same double room with their parents;
800-766-9969.
Thrifty:The Best Western Silver
Fox Inn has rooms with two double beds or queen sized beds, plus free continental
breakfast; rates $69-$89 per room, with children free in the same room; 888-236-3699.
Gear:
Rent:
Rent adult equipment
across from the main base lodge.
Buy: Joe Jones Ski & Sports and the B-Side are full-service shops located in the South Complex building across
from the Base Lodge that also offers snowboard tuning and repair.
Other
Fun Stuff: Town
Center has a fine ice skating rink offering morning, afternoon and evening open
skating sessions, a daily hockey hour, and figure skating lessons. The Nordic
Center not only offers the whole cross-country thing on 105-k or trails, but stages
guided tours on skis or snowshoes - and has Saturday night moonlight tours. All
Waterville Valley multi-day tickets are interchangeable with nearby
Loon and Cranmore resorts(may be subject to a surcharge and limited ticket policy).
Archived articles relating to
Waterville Valley, NH:
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